Inescapable proof online poker must be rigged.

Would you like to know the secret ingredients of my against-the-odds performance at The Mookie?*

Me too.

I was left to speculate whether all one might need to do in order to be successful at MTTs is to write a post saying something along the lines of "hmmm, I'd like to become good at MTTs".

But then I realized so simple (and essentially stupid) an answer would not quite do.

Thus, I sat down to look over what I thought was truly screenshot-worthy from last night, and mine it for insights into why this one night things just seemed to work. As usual, I missed the hands that really meant something - like when Jordan made his TPTK with flush draw with AhQh after I had raised preflop with TT. A pot-sized continuation from me was called with clarity, and I discontinued my hand when he pushed to my check. Too late I thought to screenshot my side of it and ask for his take later. I was left to type, "boy I hope you blog that hand Jordan." Which he did today, verifying for me he held a queen and that I was on the right track when I thought I had the worst of it. I think we both did pretty much what we're supposed to in that kind of spot, which is all I can ask for at this stage in the game.

I also learned that what goes around eventually completes the circuit, if you can just hang back and wait on it.



DQB! I had a chance to bust JJOK, which would have been cool given the bounty, but had to settle for merely wounding him when he didn't reraise me here. I was hoping he made the flush, and that he'd think I was trying a steal. Instead he was on to me and just called, ensuring he'd live to fight another hand. In retrospect perhaps I should have pushed - the psychological challenge of folding the nut flush might have been too much for even JJ. I'd like your thoughts on that...Of special note, I owe JJOK a debt as he was the one who dispatched the noble Sox way earlier than is his norm, making me the Upset of the Night.**

The other real treat was the opportunity to double up -1 through a failed reverse-Hoy from none other than Hoya himself.



Naturally, he trash talks me and I trash talk him right back, as per established Hoyettiquette.



That go-round truly felt like biting the hand that feeds you. Anyone who reads this must know I pore over Hoy's posts trying to glean tricks of the trade. I teach and train people to do complicated things for a living. I know a good teacher when I meet one. There are successful MTT players all over the place, but Hoy's posts on play are well written, insightful and take you right into the mindset you need to have in tough spots. His interview with Sif F (Can't describe the letdown of finding out the origin of that bizarre handle: I was positive he was part of the Eastern European Gentry...I guess some origin tales are better left unknown!) is another example of Hoy's ability to describe his process. In response to Jordan's interesting consideration of the balance between luck and skill in poker, Hoy and Don make compelling cases for the dominance of skill through lucid explanation of what one can do if one possesses the skills. That Hoy's willing to share his process is pretty damn generous. WWHD is my new mantra for the Mookie and WWdN. Hoff, we need to get shirts made with that on the front, and your patented Motto on the back - FEAR THE HOY!

Speaking of which, I pulled a post-flop Hoy re-raise on Kaellin.



He folded (naturally) to its majesty, but not before opining that he liked the "fake think", referring to the time it took me to do drop the Hoy. An understandable point of view, but if you knew your opponent Matt, you'd know that was no 'fake' think. That was a 45 second debate between 2 of the many voices in my head as to whether or not this would be my second-to-last bet of the evening. I'm just glad I didn't time out!

Eventually my run came down to this...


I'll admit I have no idea what Waffles' range is on any given hand, and I am convinced that is exactly the point of his posts on those unusual hands he likes to develop. 53o and all her unseemly cousins in reality comprise a tiny fraction of SirF's playbook, but he has succeeded in putting it into everyone's head that he might be setting you up with nothing but a whisper. It's brilliant and centripetal psychology, and needless to say it worked perfectly on me. Heads up 45/55 for the Sir. Post-Flop I'm still in this if he doesn't have an Ace. If he does its like 30/70. Turned out he did have a bullet and my clubs do not reopen on the turn or at the river. IGH in 3rd...wow. But here's a hand some comment on could be very helpful to me. I didn't think it was a bad call pre-flop. In retrospect I wish I laid it down after his reverse push. What do you think - don't play it at all? An enquiring mind wants to know.

Anyway how can I complain - I can't! I was amazed to make the final table, and remembered Hoy's cautionary tale about the rookie mistakes people make in those situations. So I tried to steal a few blinds, stay out of trouble's way and wait for a spot. I know I had many fortunate developments, but I don't recall sucking out on anyone in a huge way [correct me if I'm wrong, please]. In fact I don't think I actually busted a single player, although I hurt a bunch on the way up. I never had a pair bigger than JJ, but thankfully, as we all know JJ turns out to be OK. I tried to play T/A and of course, dropped a few Hoys when I got in a jam.

Although not nearly as many as GCox, who played awesome and is now surpassing me as the most successful Non-Hoyazo Hoying player. Watching Gary change gears and almost pull off the upset was pretty cool. In the end, Her Majesty's Preferred Breakfast had the goods and brought them in a big way. Congratulations Sir-FWA-LGMan, it was a pleasure.

A very special thank you to my favourite Aussie Canuck for sweating me at the rail while I tried to hang with the Boys. Much obliged Jules, you are my official good luck Muse.

So what next? Hmmmmmm....I'd like to become good at final tabling WWdN....

Later.


* In truth, Don, Carmen and I made enough on scattered bets on the Big Underdog across the Five Boroughs and Vegas that we're moving to Louisville to be very, very rich people. After one of us rescues Marcellus Wallace from a gimp-suit and buggering of course...

** When Don, Carmen and I get settled in Louisville JJOK, we'll send for you.